US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI221

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Location

حاج علي, Haj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.734251, 43.3181477 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 11 civilians were allegedly killed in a reported Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Qayyarah.

According to the Iraqi Revolution site, the 11 died at Haj Ali, also the scene of a major incident the previous day. However, no additional information is presently known.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared the UK strikes near Qayyarah that day, the MoD told Airwars: “We cannot make any definitive assessment of possible UK presence from the evidence you have provided, but I can confirm that there was no indication of any civilian casualties in our own detailed assessments of the impact of each of our strikes over the period concerned.”

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE475563
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • April 7, 2016, in Haj Ali, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2937/CI221 38SLE475563

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that for April 7th-8th 2016 “Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI285

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Location

تلول الباج, Telul al-Baj, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.4153809, 43.1128084 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed the Coalition targeted civilian homes at Telul Al Baj, to the south of Mosul, which resulted in several deaths and injuries including among women and children.

Yaqein said several raids hit the town which killed and injured two or more civilians. And the Iraqi Spring Media Centre reported that The coalition air force has targeted Telol Al-Baj area south of Mosul and Zawiya area west of Hadeetha in the west of Anbar resulted in deaths and injuries.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE286207
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Sept. 16, 2016, in Telul Al-Baj, Iraq via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3038/CI285 38SLE286207

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 16th-17th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions and damaged a tunnel entrance. Near Qayyarah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a weapons cache, and 29 watercraft.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI317

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, three members of a family, as well as a father and son, were killed by mortar fire in eastern Mosul.

Mosul Eye reported that mortars fell on apartment buildings, and killed a family of 3.

Mosul Kadema named the two victims and published their pictures.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image of Waleed Thamer, killed after mortars fell on Mosul (Via @mosul.kadema)
  • An image of Abus Rahma, killed after mortars fell on Mosul (Via @mosul.kadema)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed four vehicles, a mortar system, and a fighting position; damaged two fighting positions; and suppressed three tactical units, two heavy machine guns, and a mortar system.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI350

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Location

الصناعة, Mosul, industrial district, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3434064, 43.1966972 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fourteen or more people were reported killed and 35 injured following the alleged Coalition bombing, according to local sources.

Multiple social media accounts, including @IQsunni, reported identical reports, stating that 14 people were killed and 35 injured as a result of a US airstrike on an industrial area in Mosul. Another tweet, by @zyaad_alsenjar, wrote Overnight air strike targeted very violent eastern neighbourhoods of the city of Mosul inflicted casualties among innocent civilians. Horror and fear or liberation?

Russian state-owned outlet Sputnik News cited reports that 18 people, including 14 women, were killed. It reported that the Coalition was responsible.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 18
  • (14 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF381235
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • Nov. 26, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3066/CI350 38SLF381235

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 25th-26th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three vehicles, three ISIL-held buildings, three mortar systems, a VBIED facility, a VBIED, a supply cache, a watercraft, and a fighting position; degraded a VBIED facility and seven roads; and suppressed a mortar system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 18
  • (14 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI382

Incident date

December 30, 2016

Location

وادي حجر, Mosul, Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in Wadi Hajar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.325762, 43.125991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians were reported killed and up to 80 injured when Coalition aircraft allegedly struck the vicinity of the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul.

Islamic State later issued a propaganda video which included eyewitness reports. One noted: After we heard the bombing of Khalid Bin Al Waleed we came to rescue the people and injuries but they [were] bombing us for the second time.

Several outlets, including Arabic News, Prevision and Wesal TV reported 11 dead and 80 wounded, and Yaqein blamed the Coalition for attacks on that day in the vicinity of Mosul.

An adult man was named by Niniva Al Hadbah Mother of Two Springs Facebook as one of the victims. Additionally, a man was killed and reported by family members at nearby Quds neighbourhood.

In its February 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition said the incident was under assessment. On March 4th it stated: Dec. 30, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.

However, Airwars still assesses this to be a likely incident based on available ground reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Via Niniva Al Hadbah Mother of Two Springs killed
Talal Khaled Abdulwahab
Age unknown male Via family member killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Ibrahim Muhammad Najm, killed following a coalition airstrike on Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul (via 'Niniva AlHadbah mother of two springs' Facebook page)
  • A screenshot from video shows the destruction following an alleged coalition airstrike on Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul (via Hey Wadi Hajar Mosul)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 29th-30th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed 11 ISIL-held buildings, five supply caches, three tactical vehicles, two mortar systems, two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a tunnel, an observation post, a research lab, a command and control node, an up-armored VBIED, two barges, and two artillery pieces; suppressed five mortar teams; and damaged 20 supply routes and two repeater towers.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI416

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said airstrikes targeted civilians houses in al Qaim west of Anbar which killed four civilians and injured seven others.

Two sources spoke of “government aircraft”, but in a second report by Iraqi Spring Media Center it was later claimed that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Qa’im, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 11th-12th the Coalition did not publicly note strikes in Anbar province.

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI450

Incident date

February 6, 2017

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.371403, 43.080035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously reported by so-called Islamic State, the Coalition confirmed on April 1st that it had accidentally injured three non-combatants in an attack. ISIS had reported five deaths and 29 injuries. Locals also said at least five people had died.

The Coalition noted in its April 2017 casualty report: “near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally injured when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Officials later confirmed to Airwars that the event took place at 17 Tamuz. For the same date, ISIL’s media wing had claimed that “two children, a woman, and two men were killed and 24 others were wounded due to coalition warplanes shelling in 17 Tamuz neighbourhood in Mosul.”

That claim was later corroborated by eyewitnesses who told Amnesty International in a previously unpublished report that “In first week of February, in the afternoon, there was an attack on a building next to al-Jamhouri hospital. The building had five floors. The strike collapsed the building – it was completely destroyed. Only the first floor was left. They started bringing the bodies to the hospital, and they used the loudspeakers to call for help. I went to the building as soon as I could – I got there 10 minutes later. Dust was everywhere, and so many bodies were buried under the rubble. I used a shovel to move the rubble and to try to uncover the bodies. I saw at least five bodies, dead. I think it was an airstrike, because the damage was so huge, but I’m not sure. [He was also not sure how many civilians / how many fighters killed.]”

The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event, accurate to a one metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–29
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "According to A’maq, two children, a woman, and two men and 24 others were wounded due to coalition warplanes shelling in 17 Tamuz neighbourhood in Mosul."

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2776326855
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017
  • Feb. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally injured when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 5th-6th 2017 the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, three strikes destroyed 23 ISIL-held buildings, an ISIL headquarters and a front-end loader; and damaged 14 supply routes and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–29
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI485

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

Mosul, al Mamun, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.30898, 43.10588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq” via a media report. According to the Coalition report, “10. Feb. 25, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as al Ma’mun neighbourhood in Mosul.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2994619884
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 24th-25th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS sniper unit; destroyed nine fighting positions, eight mortar systems, five ISIS-held buildings, four command and control nodes, three VBIED facilities, three tactical vehicles, two vehicles, two artillery systems, two anti-air artillery systems, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a UAV storage facility, a front-end loader, a VBIED staging area and a supply cache; damaged 12 supply routes and four ISIS-held buildings; and suppressed 22 mortars and an artillery system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]